Problem with USB PCI Express device not functioning.
Problem with USB PCI Express device not functioning.
I recently purchased an Orico PME-4U PCI Express card to connect four USB 3.0 devices for PCVR. After installing everything, including the Molex power connector and the card into the PCI 1x slot, I confirmed the Molex with a multimeter and saw it appears in Device Manager with downloaded drivers. However, when I try to connect peripherals, nothing happens and the card doesn’t function. I’m unsure how to obtain the drivers from the Orico website—they’re encrypted text files—and the Microsoft versions seem valid but don’t work. It seems the card is receiving power, but it’s not activating anything. If you need help, just let me know what you’re seeing!
Click the Driver button. Set up the installation with Setup.exe. Avoid any encrypted text files or similar issues.
tried it again but the problem persists—it appears in Device Manager, shows power status, but doesn’t work with USB. I used version 3.0 yet nothing happens. When I connect a USB to the 2.0 port, a company logo (Fresco/Orico) pops up and claims faster speeds are available, but it doesn’t function when I plug in my USB 3.0/2.0.
Did you attach the power cable to the PCI-e card? It requires that cable. The adapter should include a SATA to Molex connector, or you can connect an older Molex (HDD plug) from your power source into the card. PCI-e slots deliver 3.3V and 12V, while PCI-e X1 cards can theoretically draw up to 10 watts from 3.3V and 10 watts from 12V (maximum 12 watts total). This isn’t sufficient to run four USB 3.0 ports (each needs at least 0.9A, so four times 0.9A x 5V = 18W; the card has extra Molex ports for direct 5V). Without this additional power, the USB controller on the card will operate at 3.3V from the PCI-e slot, appearing in Device Manager but not powering the ports—devices plugged in won’t show up.
I connected my MOLEX from the PSU and checked the voltage using a multimeter, and it matches what I expect.